464 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



as possible, and specially th<# very largest specimens impress them, so 

 that lists are made on the spot, of the names of the " big ones,", and 

 they will in this way be led to plant most of such as pay small profit ; 

 for it is a fact that our largest show apples will not yield as much profit 

 as will varieties of the small or medium size. We think 



THE PRIME UTILITY 



or value of an exhibition of apples or other fruits docs not consist in the 

 largest possible display of all the varieties attainable. lUit a show of 

 select varieties of the most profitable to grow, it would seem, would 

 constitute the best object lesson. 



ENCOUR.\GE THE BEST. 



We have often thought fair associations, horticultural societies, etc., 

 should not encourage multiplicity of varieties (many of them without 

 merit) by offering their largest premiums for the largest collection, but 

 instead let it be a liberal premium for the best collection for certain pur- 

 poses and so of single plates, offering premiums for only the merito- 

 rious, and discouraging all shy bearers, poor quality, bad keepers, etc. 



The value of these fruit shows is apparent in the increase and 

 improvement of fruits in counties where samples of best fruits are exhib- 

 ited annually, or even monthy, during the faithful work of horticultural 

 societies year after year. 



We hope to see fruit show, stock shows and agricultural fairs still 

 patronized more all over Missouri, and so well done as to develop and 

 distribute their chief good to the largest possible number. 



JOT. 



